Modi's Kolkata call: overtures for Mamata, swipes for Left, UPA

Guj chief minister expresses confidence in Trinamool govt in West Bengal

GN Bureau | April 9, 2013


Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi
Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday endorsed the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool government in West Bengal saying that he was confident that it will fulfill the people's dreams. Modi is in Kolkata on a day long visit.

Modi's overtures for Banerjee assume significance in the run up to the 2014 general elections as Trinamool is no longer a part of the Congress-led UPA at the centre. Trinamool had been a former ally of the BJP with Banerjee holding the railways portfolio in the NDA government in 1999. With the Gujarat chief minister being projected as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate for 2014, reaching out to  former ally could be a part of stitching together a coalition for 2014.

Cheering Mamata on, Modi said that the Left Front government of 32 years had left "potholes" which might take time to get filled. He also joined camps with Banerjee in bashing the central government, accusing it of discriminating against non-Congress ruled states. For full measure, Modi added, "I see this (discrimination) happening in West Bengal too."

He also lashed out at the UPA government saying that it had come to a "standstill".

Earlier today, the BJP leader visited the Belur Math in the outskirts of the city where he said that he hoped the youth of the country will be inspired by the ideas of Swami Vivekananda.

"I am confident that the youth of the nation will make the country proud by making it 'Jagatguru' following the ideas of Swami Vivekananda," Modi told reporters after paying a visit to the Belur Math here.

Comments

 

Other News

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.  

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg

Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone of Pune Metro projects

Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for Pune Metro projects worth around ₹21,800 crore on Tuesday through video conferencing. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the PM extended warm Diwali greetings to the people of Pune and Maharashtra and remarked that f

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter